The changing demands and work patterns in a technology-driven world create work opportunities for tech professionals. One such platform is the Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway or Alberta Tech Pathway, which facilitates the grant of visas to eligible, experienced applicants from the Information Technology industry. A rising number of companies in IT and IT-enabled Services (ITeS) are planning to expand their services and businesses in Alberta. This resulted in the framing and design of an immigration stream by the federal government of Canada under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) - a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) managed by Alberta. The Accelerated Tech Pathway Alberta was launched in 2022.
In the wake of an increasing number of people reaching retirement age, the IT and ITeS industries urgently require talented and skilled tech professionals to continue walking the path of growth. Therefore, these industries turn towards hiring eligible and efficient IT professionals from outside Canada to resolve the aging population issue. The Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway is one of the best gateways for tech professionals with a valid Express Entry profile, an authentic job offer letter, or job offers from organizations or employers in Alberta-based IT or ITeS industries. Since entry to Canada is allowed through Express Entry, sometimes it is also called the Alberta Express Entry stream Accelerated Tech Pathway. Interested applicants who fulfill all eligibility criteria for tech profiles (positions) can also apply for a provincial nomination in Alberta. The provincial nominee certificate will help them gain extra points on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scale - ensuring hassle-free immigration to Canada.
Announced on January 13, 2022, the Accelerated Tech Pathway Alberta was upgraded after the provincial authorities started accepting visa applications for the new tech program in December 2021. This stream benefits foreign tech-skilled workers and IT and ITeS organizations in Alberta. The tech industry in Alberta requires a set of the efficient and talented workforce to serve the growing needs of related services and teams, as well as develop long-lasting tech-based solutions for users.
One eligibility criteria for the Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway is having an active Express Entry profile, which must remain valid for the next three months. This stream facilitates Canadian immigration only through the Express Entry system or the PNP aligned with the Express Entry system.
Besides other human capital factors, interested applicants from the IT or ITeS industries must have relevant prior work experience in one of the in-demand jobs highlighted under the AAIP in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) list. Also, eligible applicants with a valid job offer letter or job offer issued by organizations or employers based in Alberta can directly apply for a visa grant through the Alberta Tech Pathway stream.
The in-demand jobs under the Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway are listed in the NOC list. The required education, skill certification, training, and relevant work experience of interested applicants must match the requirements of NOC codes. This will make applicants eligible for the Alberta Tech Pathway.
The NOC codes listed below highlight profiles and positions in in-demand jobs in Alberta that urgently require IT-skilled professionals. Many tech organizations are seeking to hire the right fit and ideal candidates for the below-mentioned positions:
| NOC Codes | List of In-demand Jobs In the Tech Industry |
| 2171 | Information Systems Analysts and Consultants |
| 2172 | Database Analysts and Data Administrators |
| 2173 | Software Engineers and Designers |
| 2174 | Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers |
| 2175 | Web Designers and Developers |
| 2147 | Computer Engineers (except software engineers and designers) |
| 2281 | Computer Network Technicians |
| 2282 | User Support Technicians |
| 2283 | Information Systems Testing Technicians |
| 0213 | Computer and Information Systems Managers |
| 5241 | Graphic Designers and Illustrators |
| NOC Codes | List of In-Demand Non-Tech Jobs in Alberta |
| 0112 | Human Resources Managers |
| 1121 | Human Resources Professionals |
| 1223 | Human Resources and Recruitment Officers |
| 0601 | Corporate Sales Managers |
| 4163 | Business Development Officers and Marketing Researchers, and Consultants |
| 1123 | Professional Occupations in Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relations |
| 7241 | Electricians (Except Industrial and Power System) |
| 0013 | Senior Managers - Financial, Communications, and Other Business Services |
Interested applicants must follow the correct application steps to apply for the Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway. It starts with understanding eligibility criteria and processing for the Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program before planning to submit an application. Applicants may face delay or rejection of their applications if application forms mention incomplete information or credentials.
After understanding the requirements of the Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway, applicants must follow the below-mentioned steps to keep applications on fast-track mode -
It is critical to understand that receiving an invitation to apply from the AINP does not guarantee obtaining Canadian permanent residence status. The nominee certificate enhances the chances of selecting applicants during the draw in the Express Entry pool. This highlights the importance of understanding and fulfilling all eligibility criteria of the Alberta Tech Pathway for interested applicants from the IT sector. The Canada PR is only granted after the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) office has evaluated Express Entry profiles.
Incorrect and incomplete information in applications may delay processing and, in some cases, may lead to a ban on applicants from reapplying for Canadian immigration for up to the next five years.
Interested professionals from the IT or ITeS domains with relevant work experience in any in-demand occupations can apply to secure a letter or offer for the Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway. IT organizations and employers can only issue a valid job offer letter or job offer in Alberta.
A valid job offer letter or job offer should also include all information and details about the employer and employee (foreign tech worker), as well as the employment or job details. The correct information in the correct order demonstrates that the job offer letter or job offer is genuine and certainly aids in Canadian immigration.
The Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway mentions that jobs done by the applicant in the IT or ITeS domains should be regular, full-time, and paid work.
Applicants having active Express Entry profiles can mention the primary NOC code or Alberta job offer to earn an additional 600 CRS points in their Express Entry profiles in addition to their current scores and receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) at the earliest. This procedure ensures that obtaining permanent resident status in Canada is done logically and smoothly.
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